Reason 5.0 workflow

Below I linked to the latest track that I completed and uploaded yesterday. (here)

This is the first track I have completed since I upgraded to Reason 5.0/Record 1.5 last year. It took me a while to get a handle on the new workflow.

The Propellerheads created a thing they call “Blocks”. Each block is essentially a loop in which you build all of the sections of your song (drums, synth, FX, etc.) You can create as many blocks as you need and name them to remind you what they are.

Then when you build out your track, it’s a matter of just drawing in each block section where you want it to start and finish. Now here’s the good part. You can use the mute tool to mute parts of each section within the block. You can also add a different loop right over the part within the block. This is very handy for when you want to make quick changes.

So, for example, you’ve created the main body section of your track. In it, you have a synth that runs throughout. You decide you want to mute that synth for a measure, then drop in a solo using the same instrument. You simply mute that synth where you don’t want to hear it, then drop a loop on top of the muted section with your solo.

Now that I’ve had a chance to work with it, it is a very efficient way of building up a track. It makes working with Reason a lot more fun (and I found it fun to begin with).